Moving-leg control for internal spring suspension hobbyhorse device



Apnl 30, 1968 F. H. WYMAN 3,380,736

MOVING-LEG CONTROL FOR INTERNAL SPRING SUSPENSION HOBBYHORSE DEVICE Filed Nov. 20. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

FLOYD H. WYMAN A TTORNE Y Apnl 30, 1968 F. H. WYMAN 3,380,736

MOVING-LEG CONTROL FOR INTERNAL SPRING SUSPENSION HOBBYHORSE DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. FLOYD H. WYMAN A TTORN E Y Aprxl 30, 1968 F. H. WYMAN 3,330,736

MOVING-LEG CONTROL FOR INTERNAL SPRING SUSPENSION HOBBYHORSE DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR.

FLOYD H. WYMAN A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,386,736 MOVING-LEG EONTRGL FOR INTERNAL SPRING SUSPENSION HUBBYHQRSE IBEVICE Floyd H. Wyrnan, Westminster, S.C., assignor to Taylor Wyman Company, Westminster, S.C., a corporation of South Carolina Filed Nov. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 153,586 19 Claims. (Cl. Z7253.2)

The present invention relates to spring suspended, rider actuated, devices, such as toy animals or the like, with control means for utilizing the motion of the rider actuated device to move different movable parts of the toy animal, such as the legs, tail, lips, ears, or to actuate a noise-maker. The present disclosure relates to the application of the present invention to spring horses and the like, wherein the entire spring suspension is located within the body of the hobbyhorse and in particular to a novel control means for utilizing the motion of the rider actuated hobbyhorse to move the legs of the horse to simulate the gaited leg movements of a live horse. Since riding devices of the type under consideration are utilized almost exclusively by small children, it is contemplated that applicants novel means for obtaining a constant and rhythmic leg movement for the hobbyhorse in addition to the bouncing and rocking movements of the horse, will add considerably to the fascination and enjoyment of the young rider. The increased interest obtained by the present invention will therefore encourage increased exercise, beneficial to physical development.

By way of broad characterization, the spring suspended hobbyhorse of the present invention utilizes an obstruction free base structure with a single central upright which terminates and is concealed within the body of the hobbyhorse and is connected to the frame structure of the hobbyhorse by means of front and rear tension springs. Torque restraining means are then provided between the stationary base portion and the hobbyhorse body to prevent lateral sway or twisting and to confine the bouncing and rocking motion of the horse to a substantially vertical plane. Individual leg members are then pivoted within the hobbyhorse body and further means are provided for transmitting the relative motion between the hobbyhorse body and the stationary structure to cause pivoting movement of the legs about their mountings.

This invention has, therefore, the primary object of presenting a toy animal riding device having an internal two spring suspension and movable parts actuated by relative movement of the toy animal with respect to a stationary base.

A more specific object of the present invention is the presentation of a hobbyhorse riding device having an internal two spring suspension and movable horse legs.

A further object of the present invention is to present a novel device for utilizing the normal movement of an internal spring suspension hobbyhorse of the character described to impart constant motion to the legs of hobbyhorse during its actuation by the rider.

Another object of the present invention is the production of a moving-leg hobbyhorse wherein the control mechanism for resiliently suspending the hobbyhorse body and for moving the legs is completely concealed within the hobbyhorse body.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hobbyhorse having four pivoted legs with a compact and simply constructed control linkage which is connected to the torque restraining means and which derives its actuating force from the relative motion produced between the hobbyhorse body and the spring suspension during actuation.

Another object of the present invention, illustrated in 3,380,736 Patented Apr. 30, 1968 the preferred embodiment, is to present a novel torque restraining means between the hobbyhorse body and the stationary frame structure with a telescoping portion of he torque restraining means being located within the confines of one of the tension support springs.

Other objects are to present a second form of the present invention wherein the torque restraining means is located externally of the tension support springs and operates with a pivoting movement rather than a slidable telescoping action.

The means by which the foregoing objects and other advantages, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are accomplished as set forth in the following specification and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings dealing with the several embodiments of the present invention. Reference is made now to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is perspective view of the over-all device showing the spring suspended moving-leg hobbyhorse body in place on the stationary base structure.

FIGURE 2 is a partially sectional side elevation showing the over-all relationship of the leg control linkage.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the internal leg control linkage and spring suspension taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation taken along lines 44 of FIGURE 3 and illustrating details of one embodiment of torque restraining means and leg control linkage.

FIGURE 5 is a detailed view of the torque restraining means illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a second form of torque restraining means adapted for attachment to the leg control linkage.

FIGURE 7 is an expanded detail of the torque restraining means illustrated in FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to indicate identical parts in the various views, a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 5, comprises a preformed hobbyhorse body 1, illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, which may be constructed of molded plastic or any other suitable material. The body portion 1 is hollow and flexible to receive and to be rigidly attached to the frame members presently to be described. The body will usually be so formed and finished to depict a miniature horse or other animal body and may also include a saddle portion 2 for seating the rider and a cross dowel 3 to provide hand-holds to be grasped by the rider. The body portion may also be equipped with two stirrups 4, illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3, for receiving the riders feet in a well known manner.

The details of the stationary base structure 5 as illustrated in FIGURE 1 and include two identical upright post members 6 and 7, having longitudinally extending floor engaging portions 8 and 9 respectively, and two identical transversely extending step members 10 and 11 having lower curved floor engaging portions 12 and 13 respectively. The four base members are rigidly clamped together by means of a clamp 14 in the manner illustrated. The post members 6 and 7 terminate in a bracket member 15 which is located within the body of the horse, tightly surrounds both of the post members 6 and 7, and is prevented from sliding downwardly thereabout by means of crimped portions 16. The bracket 15 further includes a bifurcated rear portion having spaced attaching members 17 and 18 and a front bifurcated portion having attaching arms 19 and 20. A bolt and nut assembly 21 extends between the terminal points of the members 17 and 18 and a second bolt and nut assembly 22 extends between the forward terminal points of the members 19 and 20 for a purpose presently to be described. Bearing sleeves 23 and 24 are fitted over the bolt and nut assemblies 21 and 22 respectively, to provide noiseless and long wearing bearing surfaces. A suitable material for constructing sleeves 23 and 24 has been found to be nylon, although it is to be understood that any suitable material may be substituted.

To provide the necessary rigidity for the soft plastic horse body, a composite frame structure is rigidly attached to the inner portion of the body and comprises, right and left side frames 25 and 26 having central portions which are bowed outwardly and secured to the horse body in any desirable manner and which terminate at their rear extremities in downwardly extending portions 27 and 28. The body frame members 25 and 26 extend from the extreme front portion of the horse body to the rear portion of the horse body and have front and rear cross shafts 29 and respectively extending through holes in their spaced end portions.

As seen more clearly in FIGURES l and 3, the front cross shaft 29 extends beyond both sides of the body 1 and provides a mounting for the stirnlps 4. The rear cross Shaft 30, however, does not protrude through the body 1 but extends laterally beyond each of the downwardly extending portions 27 and 28 of the frame to provide pivotal mountings for the rear legs presently to be described. Both the front cross shaft 29 and the rear cross shaft 30 may be fixed to the frame members 25 and 26 in any suitable manner. An additional nut and bolt assembly 31 extends between the upper portions of the members 27 and 28 and is provided with a bearing sleeve 32 which acts as a noiseless bearing and also as a spacing means between the side frame members 25 and 26. Further rigidity is provided for the horse body by the support rod members 33 and 34 attached to the side frame members 25 and 26 respectively by means of welding or the like at their end portions. The rod members 33 and 34 are identical in shape and extend from either side of the front end of the frame members, upwardly about the hand-hold 3, then downwardly to a position below the saddle portion 2 of the body, and terminate at the bowed portions of the side frames 25 and 26. As seen most clearly in FIGURE 2, the support rods 33 and 34 are provided with a sleeve 35 which surrounds the hand-hold 3 and provides a stable attaching means therefor. A metallic saddle shaped plate 36, seen in FIG- URE 2, is welded to each of the rods 33 and 34 to provide a rigid base for the saddle portion 2 of the body. The plate 36 may be attached to the saddle portion to the body in any desirable manner for ease of assembly. It will, of course, be understood that many modifications or changes may be made in the basic frame structure for purposes of strengthening or reinforcing the members without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

To complete the structure of the horse body, an opening 37 is provided in the lower front portion thereof for the reception of front, right and left movable legs 38 and 39 respectively which are freely pivoted on the front cross shaft 29 and a similar opening 40 is provided in the rear lower portion of the body for the reception of rear, right and left movable legs 41 and 42 respectively, freely pivoted on the rear cross shaft 30. A central opening 43 will also be provided in the bottom of the horse for the reception of the post members 6 and 7.

The spring suspension for the riding device comprises a front helical tension spring 44 and a rear helical tension spring 45. As seen most clearly in FIGURES 2 and 4, the rear spring 45 has its front terminal hooked portion 46 engaging the nylon bearing 23 on the bolt member 21 and its rear terminal hooked portion 47 in engagement with the rear nylon bearing 32. The front spring 44 has a similar attachment of its rear hook portion 48 with a sleeve on bolt 22 and its front hooked portion 49 engaging a sleeve on the front cross shaft 29. The torque restraining means of the embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGURES 2-4, is illustrated in 4 detail in FIGURE 5 and comprises a first tubular telescoping member 50, and a second telescoping member 51, adapted to slide within the first member 50 to accommodate the expansion and the contraction of the front spring 44. Any solid state lubricant such as graphite or the like may be used on the parts 50 and 51 as Well as other moving parts of the device. The telescoping member 50 has welded to its forward end, a sleeve 52 and the telescoping member 51 has welded to its rear end thereof, a similar sleeve 53. In the assembled portion as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the sleeve 52 is rotatably received on the front cross shaft 29 and the sleeve 53 is rotatably received on the nylon bearing 24 of the bolt 22, with the telescoping portions of the members 50 and 51 extending within the body of the front spring 44. With the structure thus far described, it will be obvious that the entire horse body including the rigid frame structure described is resiliently supported and connected to the bracket member 15 by means of the front and rear tension springs 44 and 45 respectively. The telescoping portion of the torque restraining means extending within the front spring accommodates the changing length of the front spring 44 as it is actuated and at the same time prevents any lateral twisting or swaying of the body and frame with respect to the base. It will also be understood that in the unactuated position, shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, the spring members extend in the same horizontal plane and are substantially axially aligned while supporting the weight of the horse body and other frame members.

As previously explained, the driving force for operating the pivoted leg members is derived from the relative movement between the stationary base structure, including the bracket 20, and the rigid frame of the hobbyhorse body. To this end, an upstanding crank arm 54 is welded to one end of the sleeve 52 of the torque restraining means and extends upwardly and slightly to the rear as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The lower half of the crank arm 54 is angled inwardly and the upper portion 55 extends vertically in a plane passing through the center of the horse as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The portion 55 of the crank arm is also provided with two holes 56 and 57 for connecting two main drive links 58 and 59. The main link 58 has a laterally extending portion which engages the hole 57 and a longitudinally extending portion which reaches to a point 60 on the upper extremity of the right rear leg 41, a distance below the pivotal point 30 of the rear leg. The drive link 58 is pivotally attached to the rear leg 41 at the point 60 whereby any movement of the link 58 will cause rotation of the leg 41 about the pivot axis 30. In like manner, the main link 59 has a laterally extending portion which engages the hole 56 of the crank arm and a longitudinally extending portion which reaches to the point 61 on the upper extremity of the left rear leg 42. The drive link 59 is pivotally attached to the leg 42 at the point 61 by any suitable means, at a distance above the pivotal axis 30 of the leg 42, whereby any movement of the link 59 will cause the rotation of the leg 42 about its pivotal axis. As shown in FIGURE 3, the drive links 58 and 59 pass on opposite sides of the bracket 15 with sufficient clearance to allow reciprocating motion of the drive links. A connecting rod 62 is then pivotally attached to the right side of the rear leg 41 at a point 63 above the pivotal axis 30 of the leg, and to the right front leg 38 at a point 64 spaced a distance below the pivotal axis 29 for the purpose of transmitting the motion of the right rear leg 41 to the right front leg 38. A second connecting link 65 extends from a point on the inner side of the left front leg 39. The pivotal connection between the link 65 and the left rear leg is spaced below the pivotal axis 30 of the leg and the pivotal connection 66 on the front left leg is spaced above the pivotal axis 29 of the leg 39 and hence the movements of the left rear leg 42 will be transmitted to the left front leg 39 in the same manner as described for the right-hand set of legs 38 and 41.

With the arrangement of links and pivotal connections described and illustrated, it will be obvious that the rear legs 41 and 42 will rotate in opposite directions Within limits determined by the degree of movement of the crank arm 54 and, at the same time, the front legs 38 and 39 will also rotate in opposite directions. The right front leg 38 and the left rear leg 42 will, however, move in unison as will the left front leg 39 and the right rear leg 41 thus producing a rhythmic gait to simulate a natural trotting motion of an actual horse. It will also be well understood by those skilled in the art, that the arrangement and connections of the drive links and connecting links may be interchanged or relocated to vary the degree of movement of the legs as well as to obtain difi'erent gaited movements. To understand the character of movement of the crank arm 54, from which the reciprocating motion of the main drive links 58 and 59 is obtained, it will be necessary to understand the reaction of the spring members 44 and 45 as well as the telescoping torque restraining members as the rider bounces forwardly and rearwardly. As the rider throws his weight forward, the front cross shaft 29 will move forward and downwardly with relation to the attaching bolt 24, on the stationary bracket 15, as the front spring 44 is expanded and pivots downwardly about the axis of the bolt 24. At the same time the telescoping members 50 and 51 will extend to accommodate the lengthening of the spring 44. As the arm 54 moves forwardly and downward- 1y, relative rotation will occur between the sleeve 52 and the cross shaft 29, as well as between the sleeve 53 and the bearing 24, resulting in a forward relative swinging motion between the arm 54 and the stationary frame structure of the horse body to which the legs are pivotally attached. The degree of relative swinging motion between the crank arm 54 and the frame structure is, of course, dependent upon the amount of thrust exerted on the horse body during the forward and rearward rocking motions of the rider.

A second form of the torque restraining means illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7 will now be described and it will be understood that this form of torque restraining means may be freely substituted for the embodiment already described with no substantial change in the elements of the device thus far described. As shown in FIG- URE 6, the torque restraining means of the second embodiment is designed to be carried externally of the front tension spring 44 and comprise a channel iron 67, with downwardly extending legs 68 and 69 having holes 7 0 and 71, respectively, at one end thereof. At the opposite end of the channel 67, a cylindrical sleeve 72 is welded between the legs 68 and 69. A pivotal arm 73 is also provided, with cylindrical sleeves 74 and 75 welded to opposite faces of the arm 73 at its extremites. The arm unit is then pivoted to the channel 67 by a suitable cross shaft 76 which may constitute the end portion of one of the driving links 58 or 59, with a suitable nylon bearing 77 being provided between the sleeve 74 and the cross shaft 76. In the assembled position shown in FIGURE 6, the sleeve 75 is fitted over bearing 24 of the cross bolt 22, and the sleeve 72 is fitted over the cross shaft 29 to provide for relative rotation between the respective sleeves and cross shafts. A hole 78 is provided in the leg 78 of the channel member for the attachment of the second main drive link 58 or 59. In assembling the front tension spring 44, when the modified form of torsion restraining means is utilized, it will be necessary to invert the spring 44 to prevent the end portions 48 and 49 thereof from interfering with the action of the channel 67 and the arm 73, as illustrated in FIGURE 6. Although a specific embodiment of the type of torque restraining device shown in FIGURE 6, has been described, it will, of course, be apparent that the essential structure may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. The members 67 and 73, for instance, need not necessarily be pivoted on the shaft 29 and the bolt 22 respectively. The member 67 may be pivoted from any suitable point on the body frame structure and the member 73 may be pivoted from any spot on the stationary base structure as long as the axes of the pivots are substantially parallel to shaft 29 and bolt 22. It is also within the scope of the present invention to vary the length and size of the members 67 and 73 or to invert the entire torque restraining members 67 and 73 so that their point of connection to each other is below the spring 44.

The operation of the channel member 67 in swinging forwardly and downwardly when the rider bounces forward on the horse body will be the same as that described with the crank arm 54. Such a forward and downward motion will cause a relative forward swinging of the channel 67 with relation to the rigid frame of the horse body to provide the driving force for the main drive links 58 and 59.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides novel and useful improvements in moving leg control means for internal spring suspended riding devices. The structure described for the present invention constitutes a practical and efiicient control linkage for obtaining realistic leg movements for hobbyhorses or the like capable of sustained noiseless operation over a long period. Particular advantages are thus gained from the concealment of a spring suspension means, as well as the leg control linkage, within the animal body so that all moving parts are out of reach of the infant rider. It will also be observed that the specific disclosure of the present invention has a very wide application since numerous variations of the basic concept may be utilized in controlling the movement of any movable part of a spring mounted animal body. Such further applications of the present disclosed concept may be made without departure from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Since the arrangements and types of structural components utilized in this invention may be subject to numerous modifications well within the purvue of this invention, the applicant intends only to be limited to a liberal interpretation of the specification and appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A moving-leg hobbyhorse device comprising: a hollow body, rigid frame means fixed to the inner side of said body, a front cross shaft mounted on said frame, a rear cross shaft mounted on said frame, front and rear leg members rotatably mounted on said front and rear cross shafts respectively, a stationary upright base struc ture extending into said body, a front tension spring connected between said base structure and said front cross shaft and a rear tension spring connected between said base structure and a rear portion of said frame, torque restraining means associated with said front spring and having one end rotatably mounted on said base structure and the other end thereof rotatably mounted on said front cross shaft, crank arm means fixed to said torque restraining means whereby rotation between said torque restraining means and said frame causes forward and rearward swinging of said crank arm, main drive links connecting said arm means with each of said rear legs, and connecting link means for transmitting the movement of said rear legs to said front legs.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said torque restraining means comprises a first tubular telescoping member having an end portion mounted on said shaft and fixed to said crank arm and a second telescoping member slidably received in said first telescoping member with the protruding end thereof being pivotally mounted on said base.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the telescoping members of said torque restraining means are located within the confines of said front tension spring.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said main drive links include a first drive link connected to said arm and to one of the rear legs above the pivotal mounting thereof and a second drive link connected to said arm and to the other of said rear legs below the pivotal mounting thereof.

5. A moving-leg animal riding device comprising; an animal body, frame means fixed to the inner side of said body and including front and rear cross shafts, front and rear leg members rotatably mounted on said shafts, a stationary upright base extending into said body, a front tension spring connected between said base and a front portion of said frame and a rear tension spring connected between said base and a rear portion of said frame, torque restraining means having ane end rotatably mounted on said base and the other end rotatably mounted on said body frame, crank arm means fixed to said torque restraining means whereby rotation between said torque restraining means and said frame is reflected by said crank arm, and drive link means for transmitting the movement of said arm means to said legs.

6. The combination according to claim wherein said torque restraining means comprises a first tubular telescoping member having an end portion mounted on said shaft and fixed to said crank arm and a second telescoping member slidably received in said first telescoping member with the protruding end thereof being pivotally mounted on said base.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the telescoping members of said torque restraining means are located within the confines of said front tension spring.

8. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said drive link means include a first drive link connected to said arm and to one of the rear legs above the pivotal mounting thereof and a second drive link connected to said arm and to the other of said rear legs below the pivotal mounting thereof.

9. A moving-leg animal riding device comprising; an animal body, frame means fixed to the inner side of said body, front and rear cross shafts carried by said frame, front and rear leg members rotatably mounted on said shafts, a stationary base extending into said body, a front tension spring connected between said base and front portion of said frame and a rear tension spring connected between said base and a rear portion of said frame, torque restraining means having one end rotatably mounted on said base and the other end rotatably mounted on said body frame whereby movement between said frame and said base is reflected by said torque restraining means, and drive link means for transmitting the movement of said torque restraining means to said legs.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein said torque restraining means includes a member rotatably mounted at one end on said body frame, an arm rotatably mounted at one end to said base and to the other end of said member, and said drive link means being connected to said member.

11. The combination according to claim 9 where said torque restraining means extends within said front spring and includes an upstanding crank arm to which said drive links are connected for moving said legs.

12. A torque restraining unit for a riding device having a body and a support assembly with resilient suspension means mounted therebetween, said torque restraining unit comprising; spaced horizontal pivot means carried by said body and support, resilient means extending between said pivot means, a member pivoted at one end to one of said pivots, an arm pivoted at one end to the other of said pivots and to the other end of said member, whereby the extension of said resilient means is accommodated while maintaining the pivot means in the same plane.

13. A torque restraining unit for a riding device having a body and a support assembly with resilient suspension means mounted therebetween, said torque restraining unit comprising; spaced horizontal pivot means carried by said body and support, resilient means extending between 8 said pivot means, and a telescoping tubular unit located within the confines of said resilient means and pivoted to said pivot means.

14. A toy animal riding device comprising; an animal body, frame means fixed to the inner side of said body, movable body members mounted in said body, a stationary base extending into said body, a front tension spring connected between said base and a front portion of said frame and a rear tension spring connected between said base and a rear portion of said frame, torque restraining means having one end rotatably mounted on said base and the other end rotatably mounted on said body frame whereby movement between said frame and said base is reflected by said torque restraining means, and drive link means for transmitting the movement of said torque restraining means to said movable body members.

15. A moving-leg animal riding device comprising; a hollow animal body, frame means fixed to the inner side of said body, front and rear cross shafts carried by said frame, front and rear leg members rotataby mounted on said shafts, a stationary base member extending into said body, first resilient means mounted between said base member and a front portion of said frame, second resilient means mounted between said base member and a rear portion of said frame, torque restraining means acting between said base member and said frame means to confine the relative movement between the body and the base member to a substantially vertical plane, whereby movement between said frame and said base is reflected by said torque restraining means, and drive link means for transmitting the movement of said torque restraining means to said legs.

16. A toy animal riding device comprising; an animal body, frame means fixed to the inner side of said body, movable body members mounted in said body, a stationary base extending into said body, front resilient means connected between said base and a front portion of said frame and rear resilient means connected between said base and a rear portion of said frame, torque restraining means acting between said base and said frame means to confine the relative movement between the body and the base member to a substantially vertical plane, whereby movement between said frame and said base is reflected by said torque restraining means, and drive link means for transmitting the movement of said torque restraining means to said movable body members.

17. A moving-leg animal riding device comprising; a hollow animal body, frame means fixed to the inner side of said body and including front and rear cross shafts, front and rear leg members rotatably mounted on said shafts, a stationary upright base extending into said body, from resilient means connected between said base and a front portion of said frame and rear resilient means connected between said base and a rear portion of said frame, torque restraining means having one end rotatably mounted on said base and the other end rotatably mounted on said body frame, crank arm means connected to the torque restraining means within said body for reflecting the relative motion between said frame means and said base, and drive link means for transmitting the movement of said crank arm means to said legs.

18. A moving-leg animal riding device comprising, a hollow animal body, frame means fixed to the inner side of said body including front and rear cross shafts, front and rear leg members rotatably mounted on said shafts, a stationary base extending into said body, resilient means connected between said base and a front portion of said frame, resilient means connected between said base and a rear portion of said frame, torque restraining means connected between said base and said frame to confine movement between said body member and said base member to a vertical plane, crank arm means fixed to said torque restraining means and located within said body .1 member to reflect the relative movement between said base and said body, and drive link means to transmit the movement of said crank arm to the legs.

19. A toy rocking figure comprising: an upstanding rigid support; a hollow simulated animal body overlying said support; front and rear pairs of legs; each leg being independently pivotally mounted on said body; supporting link means on said support and pivotally connected to said body within same and to said support and supporting said body for pivotal and translational movements in a generally vertical plane; first actuating links pivotally connected to said supporting link means and each pivoted to only one of the legs on each side of said body to impart swinging movement to said one of the tween said body and said supporting link means; and further link means respectively pivoted to each pair of legs on the same side of said body, on respective opposite sides of their pivot axes, to cause the two legs of each pair to swing in opposite directions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1931 Sperry 272--55X 5/1951 Minor 272-532 legs on each side in response to relative movement be- 15 F. B. LEONARD, A. W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiners. 

14. A TOY ANIMAL RIDING DEVICE COMPRISING; AN ANIMAL BODY, FRAME MEANS FIXED TO THE INNER SIDE OF SAID BODY, MOVABLE BODY MEMBERS MOUNTED IN SAID BODY, A STATIONARY BASE EXTENDING INTO SAID BODY, A FRONT TENSION SPRING CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID BASE AND A FRONT PORTION OF SAID FRAME AND A REAR TENSION SPRING CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID BASE AND A REAR PORTION OF SAID FRAME, TORQUE RESTRAINING MEANS HAVING ONE END ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND THE OTHER END ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BODY FRAME WHEREBY MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID FRAME AND SAID BASE IS REFLECTED BY SAID TORQUE RESTRAINING MEANS, AND DRIVE LINK MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID TORQUE RESTRAINING MEANS TO SAID MOVABLE BODY MEMBERS. 